Equipping Ranchers to be Innovative Leaders in Land Management and Conservation

For more than 150 years, ranching has been a major contributor to Colorado’s economy while at the same time keeping millions of acres of Colorado’s open space intact. However, the number of ranchers and ranches in Colorado is continually declining in the face of many challenges. In order to assist in the development of the next generation of stewards vital for conserving family ranches and healthy, intact landscapes, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management at Colorado State University, and The Nature Conservancy have partnered to create the Colorado Ranching Legacy Program.

The Program is designed to equip young and beginning ranchers to be innovative leaders in land management and conservation. Curriculum and educational modules will cover topics such as ranch management and conservation, issues facing the cattle industry, beef production, innovative ranch business models, and accessing agency resources.

Through the Ranching Legacy Program, participants will gain knowledge, networks and mentors, and all three partners’ best efforts to assist them in their ranching goals. This three-tiered partnership between the industry, education, and conservation communities makes this program unique and opens doors to various financial tools, networks, and management opportunities.

Participating in the Colorado Ranching Legacy Program

The partners of the Colorado Ranching Legacy Program are excited about the program’s new format. After compiling evaluations from the inaugural class, the partners have determined that in order to serve and build relationships with more producers, the curriculum and educational modules will be open to anyone who is interested in attending. The new format will contain 2-4 modules that will be held throughout the year. We are working on hosting these modules around events where producers are already present in order to be conscious of everyone’s time, travel, expenses, etc. The partners will be refining the new format in the upcoming months and will post updates as soon as possible. In the mean time, if you have questions, please contact Beka Gill at (303) 431-6422.